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In the article “What Interactive Narratives Do That Print Narratives Cannot,” Jane Yellowlees-Douglas argues that hypertexts are, in effect, all interactive because one cannot unfold and participate in the story unless they have made certain decisions. She compelling asserts that hypertexts can do far more than printed texts due to the fact that the former … Continue reading →

According to Kirschenbaum, new writing techniques on the nanoscale are a good place to start the conversation about the locatability of textuality. As he points out, even though we do not always think about information or “text”, stored for example on a CD-ROM, in physical terms, even microscopic data can be regarded as text. Kirschenbaum … Continue reading →

In this article, Yellowlees-Douglas talks about “hypertext” fiction and evaluates how interactive narratives differ from print narratives. In terms of reader experience, Yellowlees-Douglas begins by exploring the long-established definition of hypertexts as “nonsequential writing with reader-controlled links.” She then questions how exactly readers can participate in something non-sequentially, considering that language is inherently sequential. Hypertexts … Continue reading →

Ilana Snyder makes a very compelling argument about the changes in textuality and the growing values of hypertext in the chapter “Reconceiving Textuality.” However, there are negative and damaging aspects to hypertext that she never considers. Snyder completely disregards the value of authorial intent. Although, hypertextuality is appreciated because it is a “democratization of access … Continue reading →

Do we really care about privacy? How many times have you read a Privacy Contract before signing up for a website? The language that they use is not an excuse. A large number of those terms are written in plain language and are easy to understand. Even Google is pretty clear when saying that, yes, … Continue reading →

Solove’s book The Future of Reputation, discusses principles of gossip and rumour as they take place in our daily and online lives. As Solove gives examples of unforgettable blogs from that of Washingtonienne to the Phantom Professor, a sense of foreboding starts creeping in as we are given mere fragments as representation for the reputations … Continue reading →

In the opening chapter of “The Facebook Effect,” Kirkpatrick demonstrates how perceived need, timing, and setting factor into the mass adoption of new technology. A shrewd reading of the desires driving the intended users and a willingness to break boundaries can also help. The success of Zuckerberg’s initial on line project CourseMatch, which had enabled … Continue reading →

Solove, in “The Virtues of Knowing Less”, appears to be particularly cautious about presenting a number of different perspectives of privacy in relation to social norms. However, I find the text too heavily focused on how one’s life is important in shaping society and less so in describing one’s own wish for greater privacy in … Continue reading →

Hey everyone Helen Nissenbaum’s Privacy in Context critically explores the intricate network of concerns governing contemporary discussions about privacy. At the heart of her argument is a framework she refers to as “contextual integrity”, or the notion that people’s attitudes toward privacy are more complex than a binary between the permissive and the restrictive. Instead, … Continue reading →

In chapter ten of The Facebook Effect, David Kirkpatrick attempts to illuminate the complex position Mark Zuckerberg and Facebook take on privacy, as well as the backlash to their campaign for complete social openness. Kirckpatrick opens with the question, “How much of ourselves should we show the world” (199)? This question is based on the common perception … Continue reading →